JOY. One small word that perfectly describes Blankets of Blessing 2024. Most associate JOY with happiness, but it is so much more.
What exactly is JOY? One definition describes JOY as a “sense of inner peace and contentment that transcends worldly troubles.” We will probably never know the depth of the challenges confronting the families in attendance at this year’s Blankets of Blessing celebration, but for a few short hours we trust an atmosphere of JOY surrounded each one who joined us for the day.
One mom shared that her 14-year-old daughter attended the event even though she understood it was for her 2-year-old sister. During the drawings, Allie closely watched her family tickets as ticket numbers were called out from the stage, in hopes she would receive something. When her number was called, she was so excited as a journal set that she really wanted was delivered to her. The agency leader associated with the mom and her two daughters stated, “Allie’s mom took all the toys (gifts) home to put them under the tree so she and her sister will have something to open on Christmas. It was especially meaningful because Allie was not expecting anything, but received the journals.”
This year, as in the past, we did not guarantee gifts for the older siblings (8 and older) of the children in attendance, but through a trial program associated with Blankets of Blessing called Snowflakes for Siblings, many wonderful people throughout our community donated toys to the older kids attending the celebration. We even had an out of state 12-year-old whose friends donated gifts to our celebration instead of giving her birthday presents per her request! Through these generous-hearted individuals, every child attending this year’s community outreach went away with a gift!
An amazing volunteer relayed, “One of the families had an autistic son who wanted to hold Santa’s hand. I spoke with the father after the event. He had to work and couldn’t experience the event with his wife and children, but he expressed gratitude that his family was able to participate even in his absence. The mother and kids chose not to open their gift bag until he returned from work. He said they left it in the middle of the living room and waited for him to come home so they could enjoy opening the gifts together.”
A wonderful interpreter for our Burmese families relayed, “Wow! All of my people cannot stop talking about how blessed they are… Some told me they love having me interpret for them because if I did not do the interpretation, they would be lost like every other event they ever attended. Many also told me that their kids received many gifts that the parents would not be able to afford for Christmas. Thank you so much for doing this. It is one of our favorite events!”
An autistic toddler boy holding Santa’s hand, a 14-year-old girl not promised a gift but hoping to receive a journal, a working dad’s family selflessly waiting for “dad” to return from work to open their gifts together as a family are all beautiful pictures of JOY experienced this year at Blankets of Blessing.
Each year, our heartfelt desire and goal for Blankets of Blessing is to give every child a day of celebration—singing carols, getting pics with Santa and Mrs. Claus, doing a fun craft, eating Christmas cookies and candy canes (for those old enough to indulge), and the excitement of gift drawings, (in addition to the gifts every eligible child receives), for donated scooters, bikes, and other donated items. Such a JOY-filled time!
Our great JOY as volunteers is in knowing that each child (newborn to 7 years old) will unwrap his or her gifts to find a brand-new winter jacket, warm pjs, a hat and mittens, socks, and their very own warm blanket and a quality toy.
This year (2024) we had over 90 amazing volunteers, including children, teens, young adults and older. Each played an essential part in the success of this year’s celebration. And our wonderful Blankets of Blessing interpreters, whether for Hispanic, Zomi, or deaf and hard of hearing families, played a significant part in making each family feel special and accepted during the entirety of the celebration!
Whether elves, singers, festive cookies donated, setup crews, registration workers, truck loaders, drivers, and unloaders, stage organizers, food servers, gift bundles assembly, or gift box assembly, Blankets of Blessing 2024 would not have happened without each wonderful volunteer. We are so grateful for each one who gave of their time during a very busy season to express the value and worth of each child and his or her family through volunteering.
A very special and heartfelt thank you to each company and individual who so generously donated toward Blankets of Blessing 2024. We are so very grateful in behalf of these precious kids and their families. You may never know how your donation impacted a child or parent/grandparent/guardian in attendance, but know you have truly made a difference! JOY TO THE WORLD…
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from
the darkness and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.